StoppingStigma_Oct_2026

Stopping Stigma | October 2026 9 Continued on page 10 “Since COVID, more people have been talking about mental health challenges, especially younger people and, to some degree, behavioral healthcare staff. There has been much more open discussion of their own anxiety and depression and of people in their lives,” Dr. Swarbrick observed. “I have also seen people seeking help significantly more and taking advantage of virtual resources. Some are still reticent to reach out, but overall, people are more open to asking for support.” Similarly, more people in general are open to learning and talking about mental health even if they are not experiencing difficulties at any particular time. For example, Dr. Swarbrick shared an encouraging example from Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORT). The teams often share flyers and magnets promoting 988 and the MCORT services during community events. “Some people reacted by trying to keep their distance though most were interested, accepted the information and engaged in conversations,” Dr. Swarbrick shared. In addition to such proactive engagement efforts during community events, there are larger scale initiatives taking place. For example, the NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) program’s Tier 1 components include educational presentations. “We open conversations about mental health, how it affects behaviors and actions, and its impact on students, families and school personnel. Our goal is for teachers to not be afraid to approach students who seem to be struggling,” Dr. Kakauridze explained. For youth, NJ4S provides counseling services, as well as education. “After having eight or nine clinical sessions, many youth say they’re more comfortable asking for help — not 100% of the time, but we’re heading in the right direction,” Dr. Kakauridze shared. Even more encouraging is that some students are actively engaged in helping to educate their peers. Dr. Kakauridze’s NJ4S program has youth as board leaders and advisors contributing to statewide efforts to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help when needed. One project they undertook was designing posters using Soluna, a mental health app; this project was funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Posters youth created through an NJ4S project Continued from page 8